The escape from almost certain relegation last season will not live fond in any Boro’ fans memory, with just 11 wins and 21 defeats would’ve left even the most optimistic Stevenage fan worried about the season ahead. Tom from The Real EFL will today breakdown what’s made Stevenage’s current season so successful…
There was hope of survival last season as the shrewd appointment of Steve Evans on the 16th of March, saw the experienced manager win four of his last nine and save Stevenage from going out of the football league at a time when relegation looked like a real certainty.
Similarly, judging by the current performance during the 2022/23 season, it appears to be a clear indication that the appointment of the experienced manager has overseen a huge change in fortune and success at the football club with no sign of that stopping any time soon.
Steve Evans– The Catalyst for change.
The appointment of Steve Evans couldn’t come at a better time for The Boro’ in disarray in League two and expecting to be playing non-league football next season. Enter Steve Evans, an experienced manager in the lower leagues with the knowledge, skill set and composure to get instant results, and that is exactly what Stevenage required.
Evans’ boasts a fantastic two points per game since taking over, the best in his career, albeit just 47 matches in, Evans is on course for a truly magnificent turnaround from just six months ago. With just nine games to go, Stevenage only conceded 10 goals, previous to that they had conceded 58, The Boro also won 4 of their last 9 scoring 12 goals, over a quarter of what they already achieved that season.
That turnaround was no fluke, it was a cultural change and one that’s continued to happen this season, as Stevenage find themselves just six goals away from their last seasons total with just twenty six games played, adding to that a defensive record which sits 2nd in League Two with just nineteen goals conceded, just behind Leyton Orient (eighteen goals). However, this is despite playing two less games than the O’s.
The System
Stevenage have adopted a 3-4-3 in attack with an extremely solid team, each player in the squad is ready to be a starter, “no stocking fillers” as described by the manager.
The back four, formed by Ashby-Hammond, Piergianni, Vancooten and Sweeney allow Wildin and Clarke to push on as wingers. When pushing on, this plays dividends for the final third as Gilbey and Reeves protect the back 3, Jordan Roberts has the freedom to join the likes of Danny Rose, Jamie Reid and Luke Norris in attack.
Although not top of the league in terms of goals per game, Stevenage now boast a 1.5 goals per game ratio, an absolute dream in comparison to last season.
💫 pic.twitter.com/6bl5DWCV6q
— Stevenage FC 🔴⚪ (@StevenageFC) January 21, 2023
The team Stevenage put out know their roles perfectly, and when in defence, the team press is constant and effective. The Boro’ have an average of winning the ball back in the final third five-times a game, 1st in the league, showing that winning games is no luck and they work hard for it.
Clark and Wildin become pivotal once more, making Stevenage a back five in defence, behind the likes of Jake Reeves and Alex Gilbey who have been so consistent in central midfield this season. This is backed up by allowing the lowest xG conceded in the league (19 goals). Another 1st in the league is Stevenage is successful tackles per match with an impressive eleven.
An example of the system is shown below in their superb and impressive 3-0 home win to table topping Leyton Orient. Steve Evans tight unit overwhelmed Richie Wellens’ side, with twenty shots, three goals and three different goal scorers.
A huge factor in Stevenage’Â success is wins like this and the consistency at home, fans at The Lamex have already been witness to thirty seven points and twenty seven goals this season and there’s still 9 games to play, a huge 9 games, which undoubtedly will have a huge impact on their promotion push.
A final word on how Stevenage work so well on the pitch, their ability to change from a 3-4-3/5-2-2 in defence and attack, has created a fantastic press and the ability to win fouls, in dangerous areas where they have been so effective.
The midfield is so vital in how they win games, creating overloads and counters which have seen Stevenage average over 4 shots on target per game, which there’s a case to say that they could be scoring more goals.
The counters have seen Steve Evans’ side get the ball into wide areas with Clark and Wildin putting in crosses, Stevenage average over 5 successful crosses per game, which again has contributed to a variety of chances created along with different types of goals scored.
Backing the manager–
The signings made by Stevenage this season have given the manager the tools to implement his plan. Phil Wallace has certainly done this, after adding six in the January window alone, Stevenage now have a squad full of high quality players who can come in and do an important role for the rest of the season.
January = ✅
Rate our transfer window, Boro fans. 👇 pic.twitter.com/AZF60kQqDz
— Stevenage FC 🔴⚪ (@StevenageFC) February 1, 2023
The signing of left-back Josh Reid, who is a fantastic young talent will give Stevenage a good calibre of player who will want to kick start his career. Josh March has proven he can score goals and adding another goal scorer to the ranks will be key to Stevenage who like to share the goals around and March is a perfect acquisition to add to that.
it wasn’t just January that Stevenage were busy, the start of the season saw them bring in an abundance of players, impressive on a free, granted wages cost money but Stevenage did shrewd business at the start of the season, the likes of Jordan Roberts (top goal scorer), Carl Piergianni and Dan Sweeney have given Stevenage a new lease of life and each signing has been a great calibre and adding something important to them.
A Squad game–
It’s cliche to say that everyone has had a part to play this season but, there’s been a consistency throughout the squad which has shot Stevenage up the league, fans have touted an array of talent which they’ve been impressed this season. Ten different goal scorers, Roberts sits top with seven, Norris with six, Piergianni, Rose and Reid all on five.
Jake Reeves and Jamie Reid sit top on assists with four each. Alongside a different players contributing to Stevenage success this season, its been at the back where they’ve also been so impressive. Vancooten sits top for interceptions per game, Piergianni is top for clearances, Max Clark tops the chances created this season with thirty-three, everyone plays their part and Stevenage will need this for the rest of the season if they want to continue their impressive start.
Can it continue?
Stevenage have had some magical moments already this season, and arguably one of the moments of their clubs history in their giant killing of premier league Aston Villa, Stevenage came back from 1-0 down to score a winner in the last minute to send the away fans delirious in a huge FA Cup upset.
History makers. pic.twitter.com/RvzINtOcsP
— Stevenage FC 🔴⚪ (@StevenageFC) January 9, 2023
On the subject of fans, feelings at the Lamex seem to be more united than ever, selling more and more tickets and the fans coming together to witness and special side being formed by Steve Evans, who is building a squad capable of competing for the title and has the ability to grow its potential and achieve more.
There is a mix of young, energetic and skilful talent alongside experience and leadership driving Stevenage to be a real force in League two. Added to that finally a EFL manager who can lead this team to further success, Evans recently penned a new contract until 2025, and although contracts don’t seem to mean much nowadays, it does show his is committed to this project.
There’s no reason why Stevenage can’t go all the way this season and in my opinion Steve Evans will keep the team level headed whilst the galvanised fans will drive the team forward.
Stevenage will want to take their chances created, and not allow that to drop off, whilst keeping a tight and united ship at the back. With the six new additions coming in, if injuries or suspensions occur, they now had a squad capable of coping with these instances.
It’s going to be interesting to see if they can continue with this momentum, and how they will react to any dip in form, which ultimately happen to most teams each season.
Do you think Stevenage can continue their fine form this season?
